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inverse element

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element with an inverse with respect to a given mathematical operation; element that can 'undo' the effect of another given element

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In mathematics, the concept of an inverse element generalises the concepts of opposite (−x) and reciprocal (1/x) of numbers.

Given an operation denoted here ∗, and an identity element denoted e, if x ∗ y = e, one says that x is a left inverse of y, and that y is a right inverse of x. (An identity element is an element such that x ∗ e = x and e ∗ y = y for all x and y for which the left-hand sides are defined.)

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